Lake Woodruff

I got the quota for that place 2 years ago and ended up not hunting. However, I’ve been told that there are a lot of game as well as bears. When I did my scouting, I found very good sign, lots of tracks and rubs. If you don’t own a boat, your options are the Eastside Unit and the Volusia Tract.

One of your camping options is Highland Park Fish Camp, right at the end of Highland Park Road, north of the Volusia Track. The place is OK and when I met the owner when planning my trip he was very helpful and friendly. Their website is http://www.hpfishcamp.com/welcomepage.htm

Hope this help and good luck.

Thanks for the advice. Very helpful. I have a 16' canoe and will be hunting with a friend. Do you think it would be benificial to bring or do you need a motor boat? Is it worth getting on those islands to hunt or do you think I will have just as much succes without bringing the boat?

Thanks for the advice. Very helpful. I have a 16' canoe and will be hunting with a friend. Do you think it would be benificial to bring or do you need a motor boat? Is it worth getting on those islands to hunt or do you think I will have just as much succes without bringing the boat?

Honestly, no idea. I never went past the two areas I mentioned, therefore can’t give you any feedback. I’m sure someone will chip in shortly.

I hunted there back in '08. Here is my feedback:
1) Since you have the archery hunt you might be better off just hunting those areas that are foot accessible. Granted there will be more people there, but that is just my opinion.
2) As Mr. Lolo said, Highland Pk fish camp is about the best place to stay in relation to the rest of the refuge and very close to the walk in areas that are archery only. (Saw a funky looking buck eating along the RR track on the way to the fish camp!)
3) If you want to venture out to the "less pressured" areas you will definitely need a boat with a motor. As their brochure states, try and be out of there before dark because the tributaries and creeks that meander through the refuge can get very confusing.
4) Jones Island(?) on the far north east corner of the refuge and Tick Island on the west side are the dry areas I know of other than the walk in areas close to SR44.
5) The place is wet, wet and wet some more. Do not hesitate to find a spot that is in the water if any other sign is available. The deer have adapted do not have a problem staying in the water almost all the time. Weird.
6) If we get a substantial amount of rain between now and your hunt you may want to invest in some chest waders. Also, be prepared to walk a ways to reach the dry areas.
7) Do you like alligators? Some of the biggest I've ever seen roam the swamps between Highland Pk fish camp and the St Johns river. And this is coming from someone who has lived in FL all his life.

The place has the potential to hold older deer since most of it is some damned hard to get to, but that is the whole adventure in it!
Hope this helps.